Softball Sweeps Fitchburg State in MASCAC Twinbill

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- The visiting Bridgewater State University softball team swept a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader with Fitchburg State University on Saturday afternoon at Coolidge Park.

Bridgewater State won the opener, 11-8, and completed the sweep with a 9-0 victory in five innings in game two.

The Bears improve to 10-14 on the season and 3-3 in the MASCAC, while the host Falcons fall to 9-13 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

Game One

Bridgewater State took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a miscue and an RBI single by freshman Alexandra Ruprecht (Kingston, Mass.). Ruprecht doubled home junior Jenny Heller (Taunton, Mass.) in the third, before the Falcons cut the deficit to 4-1 in the bottom of the third on an RBI base hit from junior Michelle LeBlanc (Ashburnham, Mass.).

The Bears upped their advantage to 9-1 with a five-run fourth inning. A two-run tripled by Heller, an RBI single by Ruprecht and another Fitchburg error accounted for the scoring in the frame.

After the Falcons pulled to within 9-3 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Bears answered with a two spot in the sixth. Heller doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a RBI groundout by junior Mackenzie Holt (Gilroy, Calif.). Sophomore Samantha Mulcahy (Taunton, Mass.) knocked in Ruprecht, who had reached on an infield base hit, with an RBI single to right-center to give Bridgewater a comfortable 11-3 lead.

The Green and Gold would not go down quietly as the Falcons pushed across five runs in the final two frames with sophomore McKenzie Lambert (Wilbraham, Mass.) ripping a two-run triple to left, while junior Melissa DiPhilippo (Norfolk, Mass.) and Leblanc added RBI's as well. The Bears, however, were able to hold on for the 11-8 game one final.

Ruprecht was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate in game one with a double, two runs and three RBI, while Heller went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, three runs and two RBI. Mulcahy rounded out the Bears' multi-hit performers as she was 2-for-5 with an RBI

Freshman Kaitlyn Shaw (Lakeville, Mass.) picked up the complete game win in the circle for Bridgewater State in game one. Shaw (6-2) allowed eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Game Two

Sophomore Natalie Sorrenti (Bridgewater, Mass.) tossed a complete game shutout to lead Bridgewater State to the 9-0 win in game two and a sweep of the doubleheader. Sorrenti (2-1) scattered five hits, walked one and fanned four in five innings of work.

The Bears broke open a 0-0 stalemate by scoring five runs in the third, three in the fourth and one in the fifth.

In the third, sophomore Meghan Navarro (Taunton, Mass.) got the Bears on the board with an RBI single. Junior Courtney Gouveia (Taunton, Mass.), freshman Madison Synan (Quincy, Mass.), Heller and Holt added RBIs in the frame. Gouveia was hit by a pitch with the bases load and Synan walked with the bases full. Heller plated a run with a fielder's choice grounder and Holt added an RBI groundout.

Bridgewater took advantage of four Falcon errors in the three-run fourth inning, and Heller closed out the scoring with an RBI single in the fifth.

Mulcahy (2-for-3, BB, 2 runs), Navarro (2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI) and junior Kacie Carvalho (Fairhaven, Mass.) all finished with multiple hits in game two. Carvalho singled twice in three at bats and scored two runs. Her second hit marked the 100th of her career.

The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams on Patriot's Day. The Falcons travel to Westfield State University, while the Bears head to MCLA. Both doubleheaders will get underway at noon.